Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Joy, anger as Museveni signs law against gays

Pastor Martin Ssempa celebrates the signing of the Bill at the National Theatre in Kampala yesterday

Entebbe- President Museveni yesterday signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law, eliciting joy and condemnation across the world.

A tough-talking President told a fully-packed room
at State House, Entebbe that western powers that have been pressuring
him against signing the bill are social imperialists who want to impose
their culture on Africans.

The President said supporters and promoters of
homosexuality had “lost the argument” and warned development partners
that Uganda was ready to live without aid.“The outsiders cannot dictate to us. It’s our future and let them take their aid. In fact, it has been a problem,” he said.

A greater part of President Museveni’s speech
dwelt on the scientific study done by 10 Ugandan scientists that
concluded that homosexuals are “nurtured” and not “natural”.

“We reject the notion that homosexuality can be by
choice. When I was fighting after the bill was passed, I didn’t’ know I
was fighting a wrong war. I cannot understand why a person cannot be
attracted to the beauties of women and go for men,” he said.

Mr Museveni said it was after getting this advice
that he realised he was fighting a “wrong war”, adding that the practice
was being fuelled by poverty.

“Many of our homosexuals are prostitutes,” said
the President. “They are recruited because of money. There are no single
nature-driven homosexuals. Nature without nurture, you cannot get
homosexuals. Why don’t you remove this nurture and we rehabilitate
them?”

Whereas Parliament passed the bill in December
last year, the President initially hesitated to assent to it, at first
citing the lack of quorum but later indicating he would seek expert
scientific opinion.

At the just-concluded NRM party retreat at
Kyankwanzi, the President announced he would sign the bill after
scientists told him the practice is largely nurtured and not natural. Offering more advice yesterday, the President warned against oral sex, which he said exposes those involved to health risks.

“I hear some of them do oral sex. The mouth is for
eating, not for sex. You can get gonorrhea of the mouth on account of
oral sex. Why should you get diseases because of going to a wrong
address?” he asked.

Mr Museveni said Africans survived slave trade, colonialists and would also “win the war” against homosexuality.

Moments after news spread that the President had
assented to the bill, there were pockets of celebration in parts of
downtown Kampala, with traders saying the law will protect their
families.

At Omega Healing Centre children carried placards as they praised Museveni, Cabinet and Parliament for enacting the law.

Renowned anti-homosexuality crusader Pastor Martin
Ssempa, who led a group of followers in celebration at the National
Theatre, said he would help rehabilitate homosexuals.“As Kayihura
(police chief) will be playing his part (of arresting), we shall also be
playing our part of rehabilitating our brothers and sisters,” he said.

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati, who sponsored the bill, said: “The
signing of the bill is a victory for the people of Uganda and triumph of
the sovereignty of our country.”

However, the tone was different from the West, with UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague, saying he was “saddened”.

“I am deeply saddened and disappointed that the
Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda has been signed into law. The UK
strongly opposes all discrimination on any grounds. We question the
Bill’s compatibility with Uganda’s Constitution and international treaty
obligations,” he said.

The US Mission in Uganda said President Obama’s
earlier statement, where he warned of a “complicated” relationship if
President Museveni assented to the bill, still stands. Washington was
expected to issue an official statement later.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi
Pillay, warned that the law would institutionalise discrimination and is
likely to encourage harassment of homosexuals.Maria Burnett of
Human Rights Watch, said: “President Museveni has dealt a dramatic blow
to freedom expression and association in Uganda by signing the
Anti-Homosexuality bill,” said, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights
Watch. “Attacking basic rights and criminalizing the expression of
divergent views doesn’t bode well for anyone. This is yet another
troubling sign of disregard for fundamental human rights in Uganda.”

WILLIAM HAGUE, UK FOREIGN SECRETARY:
“I am deeply saddened and disappointed that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
in Uganda has been signed into law. The UK strongly opposes all
discrimination on any grounds. We question the Bill’s compatibility with
Uganda’s constitution and international treaty obligations. There can
be no doubt that this Bill will increase persecution and discrimination
of Ugandans, as well as damage Uganda’s reputation internationally.”

US MISSION IN UGANDA: “The
President’s statement still stands,” Public Affairs Officer, Daniel
Travis said, ahead of an expected official response from Washington.
President Barack Obama earlier warned that President Museveni’s assent
to the legislation would “complicate the valued relationship” between
the US and Uganda,”

NAVI PILLAY, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: “Disapproval
of homosexuality by some can never justify violating the fundamental
human rights of others. This law will institutionalise discrimination
and is likely to encourage harassment and violence against individuals
on the basis of their sexual orientation. It is formulated so broadly
that it may lead to abuse of power and accusations against anyone, not
just LGBT people.”

MARIA BURNETT, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH:
“President Museveni has dealt a dramatic blow to freedom expression
and association in Uganda by signing the Anti-Homosexuality bill,” said,
senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Attacking basic rights
and criminalizing the expression of divergent views doesn’t bode well
for anyone. This is yet another troubling sign of disregard for
fundamental human rights in Uganda.”